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bookphile's reviews
982 reviews
Looking for Alaska by John Green
5.0
I have never read anyone who could go from making me sob like a baby to laughing out loud in a span of a few chapters. When tragedy strikes within the novel, you feel it cut deeply, because you get used to the characters and you feel it with them. But then Green helps you move on, and you do, along with the characters. Which is the most amazing thing ever. I have never read a book that actually helped me get over a tragedy within it. I put it down not with a feeling of loss, but content.
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
3.0
I am... a little bit confused.
I have hated this book and I have liked it and then I went back to disliking it, and then liked it again. In the end, it's neither here nor there. I think I got a little bit confused towards the end because I was trying to finish this book and was slightly distracted anyway. But parts of the story didn't make sense to me after certain revelations and to be honest, I don't care enough to ever go back and re-read it.
I liked the story and how it was written. I wasn't too sure about the setting and had no idea where it was set until (nearly the end) someone mentioned England. But I guess, since we never really leave the house as the setting, it kind of make sense. I'm not sure about the characters because even though we get to know them, I never really felt like I understood them, or their motives, or what they wanted.
Usually, I love these kind of weird stories, but I think this one just didn't click with me.
I have hated this book and I have liked it and then I went back to disliking it, and then liked it again. In the end, it's neither here nor there. I think I got a little bit confused towards the end because I was trying to finish this book and was slightly distracted anyway. But parts of the story didn't make sense to me after certain revelations and to be honest, I don't care enough to ever go back and re-read it.
I liked the story and how it was written. I wasn't too sure about the setting and had no idea where it was set until (nearly the end) someone mentioned England. But I guess, since we never really leave the house as the setting, it kind of make sense. I'm not sure about the characters because even though we get to know them, I never really felt like I understood them, or their motives, or what they wanted.
Usually, I love these kind of weird stories, but I think this one just didn't click with me.
Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett
4.0
Equal Rites is a fantastic start to the Witches series of Discworld.
Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett
4.0
The second instalment of the the Witches series of Discworld is utterly hilarious, punny, and a giant nod to Shakespeare's Macbeth and other plays.
I really love all the characters, but of course the Witches are my favorite. I love how at first glance they appear to he caricatures of the witches that we usually see in literature, but at the same time they are so well defined that they are very much their own characters. They own it. Plus, throw in Pratchett's humor and you have a recipe for great jokes. I'm pretty sure I was rolling around on my bed at one point laughing out loud.
The plot itself was a bit formulaic and a tad predictable, and I think just about everyone will recognize the nod to Shakespeare and his witches, especially since the book seems to be an almost parody of Macbeth and Hamlet mashed together.
I did miss Esk from the first instalment and considering the Granny just moved the country into the future 15 years, I'm guessing she's all grown up now, too. I hope we see her in the next book and get to follow her adventures.
Overall, great instalment!
I really love all the characters, but of course the Witches are my favorite. I love how at first glance they appear to he caricatures of the witches that we usually see in literature, but at the same time they are so well defined that they are very much their own characters. They own it. Plus, throw in Pratchett's humor and you have a recipe for great jokes. I'm pretty sure I was rolling around on my bed at one point laughing out loud.
The plot itself was a bit formulaic and a tad predictable, and I think just about everyone will recognize the nod to Shakespeare and his witches, especially since the book seems to be an almost parody of Macbeth and Hamlet mashed together.
I did miss Esk from the first instalment and considering the Granny just moved the country into the future 15 years, I'm guessing she's all grown up now, too. I hope we see her in the next book and get to follow her adventures.
Overall, great instalment!
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
4.0
How come half-bloods as mudbloods don’t get as much shit from the likes of Lucius Malfoy? Is it only because Voldy was a half-blood? Because for all the stink that Lucius and Malfoy make about mudbloods? Is this mentioned in the later books?
It’s fairy clear that the boys would not survive without Hermione. But a part of me thinks that she is the main drive for them getting into these situations. I mean Harry just happens to mention something that someone mentioned around him, and Hermione gets curious, and then she suggests they do research.
How did they survive this long without her? Also, this book suffers from a severe lack of Hermione in the second part.
This time around Gilderoy appeared much more sinister to me. I mean you could see him trying to ride on Harry’s coat-tails, and make it about being partners in fame. But honestly, there was a certain dangerous snideness under his “silly” comments, and you had to wonder is he was thinking of a way to get rid of Harry and claim the fame? Or maybe the snideness came from secretly hating Harry because he was more famous, and he couldn’t take it away from him?
Dumbledore isn’t that present in the first two books.
The Ministry shows such blatant incompetence every time a crisis comes up, it’s astounding they manage to do anything. I mean Hagrid gets expelled, the attacks stop. But he’s just a fall guy for them, and Dumbledore keeps him on school property as a gatekeeper. I mean either these idiots don’t care about letting a guy who released a murderous monster in the school being around their kids. Or they knew all along that he was innocent and basically pinned the blame on him to avoid dealing with the actual problem. I mean who cares about the fact that the guy who released monster into a school that killed a child is still out there, biding his time? Which begs the question: which of these is worse?
Then it’s really not that surprising that that three 12 year olds (or just Hermione really) managed to solve a crime on their own.
It’s fairy clear that the boys would not survive without Hermione. But a part of me thinks that she is the main drive for them getting into these situations. I mean Harry just happens to mention something that someone mentioned around him, and Hermione gets curious, and then she suggests they do research.
How did they survive this long without her? Also, this book suffers from a severe lack of Hermione in the second part.
This time around Gilderoy appeared much more sinister to me. I mean you could see him trying to ride on Harry’s coat-tails, and make it about being partners in fame. But honestly, there was a certain dangerous snideness under his “silly” comments, and you had to wonder is he was thinking of a way to get rid of Harry and claim the fame? Or maybe the snideness came from secretly hating Harry because he was more famous, and he couldn’t take it away from him?
Dumbledore isn’t that present in the first two books.
The Ministry shows such blatant incompetence every time a crisis comes up, it’s astounding they manage to do anything. I mean Hagrid gets expelled, the attacks stop. But he’s just a fall guy for them, and Dumbledore keeps him on school property as a gatekeeper. I mean either these idiots don’t care about letting a guy who released a murderous monster in the school being around their kids. Or they knew all along that he was innocent and basically pinned the blame on him to avoid dealing with the actual problem. I mean who cares about the fact that the guy who released monster into a school that killed a child is still out there, biding his time? Which begs the question: which of these is worse?
Then it’s really not that surprising that that three 12 year olds (or just Hermione really) managed to solve a crime on their own.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
4.0
For all the Snape apologist, I really don’t get it. Because when you read the the books, you can see Snape enjoying bullying and being mean to children, showing clear favoritism to Slytherins. Like, he’s not playing mean, or just trying to appear cruel. No, he clearly hates Harry and everyone who associates with him, and punishes them for it.
Despite being labeled clowns, funny ones, and pranksters, the Weasley twins are always first and foremost kind of all their friends and strangers in need. They help Harry with his bags in book 1, without knowing who who is, they always fiercely protect Ginny and try to cheer her up when she’s upset. They tell Wood that he’s an awesome Keeper. And they give Harry the map so he could experience Hogsmeade.
Everyone seems to know that Harry’s aunt and uncle are not the greatest people, but none of them seem to realize the severity of Harry’s situation. Granted, Hagrid wanted to kill Serious for betraying Lily and James, I wonder what he would do to to Uncle and Aunt if he realized what they’ve done to Harry.
There is always a severe lack of Hermione in these books up until the last point. Must we chose between Ron and Hermione? Also, Harry seems to side with Ron a lot.
Oh look Dumbledore gets of his butt and actually attempts to free an innocent man and creature from the corrupt and broken system.
Despite being labeled clowns, funny ones, and pranksters, the Weasley twins are always first and foremost kind of all their friends and strangers in need. They help Harry with his bags in book 1, without knowing who who is, they always fiercely protect Ginny and try to cheer her up when she’s upset. They tell Wood that he’s an awesome Keeper. And they give Harry the map so he could experience Hogsmeade.
Everyone seems to know that Harry’s aunt and uncle are not the greatest people, but none of them seem to realize the severity of Harry’s situation. Granted, Hagrid wanted to kill Serious for betraying Lily and James, I wonder what he would do to to Uncle and Aunt if he realized what they’ve done to Harry.
There is always a severe lack of Hermione in these books up until the last point. Must we chose between Ron and Hermione? Also, Harry seems to side with Ron a lot.
Oh look Dumbledore gets of his butt and actually attempts to free an innocent man and creature from the corrupt and broken system.
Harry Potter und der Stein der Weisen by J.K. Rowling
4.0
So I finished re-reading Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, thoughts:
Tumblr has a way of warping canon, like the fact that Harry is kind of dumb. You know, like the broom shaped parcel (oh I wonder what that is??!), in the book, it isn’t actually broom shaped, it’s not described at all, it just says parcel.
Or that Harry doesn’t seem that curious about magic and Hogwarts enough. First, he does read a lot of the school books after he gets them. But since he can only read at night and he has about a week, he obviously doesn’t have a lot of time. Also, no matter how interesting the subject, when it’s taught by a boring ass teacher, nothing can save it.
Second, the poor boy is, at least at first, terrified of asking questions. Because the Vernons would yell and punish him for it all the time and tried to stomp out all curiosity out of Harry. This made me so upset.
Like, I saw that post that pointed out all the ways in which Dumbledore is an asshole, and one of them was leaving Harry in an abusive household. Aside from beating him (though they let Dudley do that) I’m pretty sure the Vernons had mentally and emotionally abused him, starved him, punished him for curiosity. For some reason, it didn’t seem so bad to me before? But the last time I read the books was like five years ago… I’m just beyond upset thinking about it. Dumbledore you’re a piece of shit, and it’s like, a miracle that Harry turned out into a kind, loving, amazing person that he is and not some emotionally stunted zombie.
Ron is surprisingly decisive, which I guess I forgot because the movies made him the dumb jealous friend. But he always thinks on his feet and is quick to action.
Even though Neville is barely there, he actually does go through a lot of character growth. Including not only standing up to bullies, but also his friends. Also, seeing value in himself, even repeating the words “I’m worth ten of you Malfoy.”
I wish Professor Quirrell was a slightly more obvious villain, but Harry is so determined (and for good reason) to be suspicious of Snape and to hate him, that he doesn’t notice Quirrell.
Also, I wish we got to see more inside the different classes and actual classes and spells, I feel like this is glossed over a lot.
Tumblr has a way of warping canon, like the fact that Harry is kind of dumb. You know, like the broom shaped parcel (oh I wonder what that is??!), in the book, it isn’t actually broom shaped, it’s not described at all, it just says parcel.
Or that Harry doesn’t seem that curious about magic and Hogwarts enough. First, he does read a lot of the school books after he gets them. But since he can only read at night and he has about a week, he obviously doesn’t have a lot of time. Also, no matter how interesting the subject, when it’s taught by a boring ass teacher, nothing can save it.
Second, the poor boy is, at least at first, terrified of asking questions. Because the Vernons would yell and punish him for it all the time and tried to stomp out all curiosity out of Harry. This made me so upset.
Like, I saw that post that pointed out all the ways in which Dumbledore is an asshole, and one of them was leaving Harry in an abusive household. Aside from beating him (though they let Dudley do that) I’m pretty sure the Vernons had mentally and emotionally abused him, starved him, punished him for curiosity. For some reason, it didn’t seem so bad to me before? But the last time I read the books was like five years ago… I’m just beyond upset thinking about it. Dumbledore you’re a piece of shit, and it’s like, a miracle that Harry turned out into a kind, loving, amazing person that he is and not some emotionally stunted zombie.
Ron is surprisingly decisive, which I guess I forgot because the movies made him the dumb jealous friend. But he always thinks on his feet and is quick to action.
Even though Neville is barely there, he actually does go through a lot of character growth. Including not only standing up to bullies, but also his friends. Also, seeing value in himself, even repeating the words “I’m worth ten of you Malfoy.”
I wish Professor Quirrell was a slightly more obvious villain, but Harry is so determined (and for good reason) to be suspicious of Snape and to hate him, that he doesn’t notice Quirrell.
Also, I wish we got to see more inside the different classes and actual classes and spells, I feel like this is glossed over a lot.
Curtsies & Conspiracies by Gail Carriger
4.0
Curtsies and Conspiracies is a fantastic sequel to Etiquette and Espionage and a great continuation to the Finishing School series. It's a light, fast-paced, action driven adventure. I really like Sophronia and her gang of friends. She's a bit Mary-Sue-ish, but I don't mind. The series is very entertaining, interesting, and original. I love it.
Highly recommend for some fun reading.
Highly recommend for some fun reading.